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The Hobbit 1937 UK 1st Impression

THE HOBBIT
1937 FIRST UK EDITION, FIRST IMPRESSION
In Original Unrestored Dustjacket

The Ultimate Tolkien publication. The Hobbit quickly became a classic of the genre and is now descibed as the book of the century. This copy, a true FIRST IMPRESSION was published in September of 1937. Only 1500 copies were published in the first impression.

DESCRIPTION
Tolkien, John Ronald Reuel; The Hobbit, Or There and Back Again; London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd., Museum Street; First Edition/First Impression Hard Back with Original dust jacket. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Copyright 1937, 310 pages. Decorated, original green cloth binding, map endpapers, illustrations by the author. Book is in VERY GOOD condition. Original dust jacket is in POOR condition.
The exterior of this copy is lightly soiled, the interior is clean and bright. Slight spine slant. Decorative map endpapers are in very good condition, but shows some foxing. There are NO previous owners name or writings. Original dustjacket has the publishers correction to the "e" of Dodgeson. Jacket has been priced clipped, shows numerous chips and unfortunately is in two pieces…being worn thru along the spine. Perfect candidate for a restoration if so desired. Comes complete with beautiful custom leather clamshell case to house and protect this highly collectable timeless classic! This book is my precioussssss! and I am reluctant to part with. The centerpiece of any Tolkien Collection!

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UK First Impression Set


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THE LORD OF THE RINGS
1954/55 FIRST EDITION, FIRST IMPRESSION SET

George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1954/54/55 1st UK Edition. Full-Leather. No Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. The Fellowship of the Ring is a 1st impression dated 1954. The Two Towers is a 1st impression dated 1954. The Return of the King is a TRUE 1st STATE 1st impression dated 1955. All books are in FINE condition. All original maps are present and in Near Fine condition. An extraordinary set of first editions of this classic of fantasy literature. The set is fully rebound in Dark Red Morocco Leather, all edges trimmed and gilded. The set is further distinguished by marbled endpapers and is housed in a full leather-lined slipcase. Title, Author, and Date, as well as a the 'Ring and Eye' device from the original UK dustjackets are featured on the spine of each book, and a larger version of the 'Ring & Eye' on the front boards of all three books. All books are very clean and bright, with no writing, marks or signatures. Beautiful design and expert craftsmanship by arguably the greatest bindery in the world...The Chelsea Bindery from London, England.

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The Hobbit 1937 UK 2nd Impression w/ card SIGNED by TOLKIEN


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THE HOBBIT
1937 FIRST UK EDITION, SECOND IMPRESSION
w/ card SIGNED BY J.R.R. TOLKIEN

This book needs no introduction, it is simply Tolkien's most desired publication.
Originally published in September of 1937, "The Hobbit" quickly became a classic of the genre and is now descibed as the book of the century. This copy, the second impression was published in December of 1937. First and second impressions are very difficult to find in descent shape, especially considering the pre-war time conditions in which they were printed. Only 1500 copies were published in the first impression, and only 1877 copies of the original 2300 second impression prints are said to have survived the bombing of London in November 1940. Furthermore, this is THE ONLY UK FIRST EDITION that was published with the addition of 4 color and 9 mono plate illustrations by the author.
Here is a amazing opportunity to have a 1937 Hobbit with laid-in signature card SIGNED by J.R.R. Tolkien for under $6,000! Don't miss this rare opportunity to own a piece of history that will only increase in value over time!

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UK First Impression Set
THE LORD OF THE RINGS
1954/55 FIRST EDITION, FIRST IMPRESSION SET

George Allen & Unwin, 1954/54/55 1st UK Edition. Full-Leather. No Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. The Fellowship of the Ring is a 1st impression published 1954. The Two Towers is a 1st impression dated 1954.The Return of the King is a 1st impression dated 1955, with the signature mark '4' and the infamous slipped type. All original maps are present and in Fine condition. Minor foxing to volumes 1 & 2. An extraordinary set of first editions of this classic of fantasy literature. The set is fully rebound in Red Leather, all edges trimmed and gilded, with the original cloth spines bound in the rear. The set is further characterized by gorgeous marbled endpapers and is housed in a lined slipcase. Beautiful classic design, executed by one of UK's premier binders. All books are clean and bright, with no writing or signatures. Comes complete with facsimile signature card SIGNED by J.R.R. Tolkien.

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UK First Impression Set in Original Dustjackets
THE LORD OF THE RINGS
1954/55 UK FIRST EDITION, FIRST IMPRESSION SET

George Allen & Unwin, published in 1954, and 1955. The Fellowship of the Ring is a 1st impression published on July 29th 1954. The Two Towers is a 1st impression published on November 11th, 1954. The Return of the King is a 1st impression published on October 20th, 1955. This copy is the 1st State, with the signature mark '4' and having the slipped type on page 49, the original definition of the 1st state, from what was described in the Tolkien Bibliography by Hammond and Anderson. He has since revised his definition, making this the later state. All original maps are present and in Near Fine condition. All books are in their original dustjackets, and have no previous owners names. No other writing or markings in the books. Only the Return of the King is price clipped, and they have only the most minor edgewear or chips to the tips of the spine or folds. Some rubbing to the folds, and some light fading to the red lettering, although the spines are slightly darkened, still very legible and much less than the norm. The Two Towers has a smudge or soiling to the front of the dustjacket. The text blocks are all clean, bright and tight, with a little light foxing to The Fellowship of the Ring and The Return of the King.

A fantastic set of the true 1st impressions of the First Editions of this classic of fantasy literature. Very, very 'precious'.

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True 1st Deluxe Edition Set
THE LORD OF THE RINGS
1963 FIRST UK DELUXE EDITION SET

George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1963, 1st UK Edition. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. The true 1st Deluxe Edition of the 3 volumes of The Lord of the Rings, comprised of "The Fellowship of the Ring", "The Two Towers", and "The Return of the King". This set is bound in the original Black Buckram cloth with gilt titles, author and publisher to the spines of each volume. Each volume features Bevel-Edged boards, gilded page edges, and original silk bookmark sewn in. The books are in VERY GOOD+ condition, with a few marks to the gilded edges, embossed previous owners stamp on ffep's of each book, but no writing or inscriptions in any of the books. All original maps are present and in Near Fine condition. The books are housed in the very scarce original publishers slipcase featuring the Pauline Baynes color "triptych" artwork. The scarcest of all the original Allen & Unwin 1st Editions, as well as the Houghton Mifflin issues. Rumor has it, only 300 sets produced (worldwide). Briefly mentioned in the Tolkien Bibliography by Hammond and Anderson on page 98. The outside of the books show some superficial rubbing, but whole & complete, without any major stains or faults.Perhaps the only opportunity you may ever come across for this rare set and slipcase.

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The Hobbit 1942 Foyles Book Club Edition

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THE HOBBIT
1942 FIRST UK EDITION, THIRD IMPRESSION

In late 1942, Allen & Unwin printed 1,500 copies of a third impression under their imprint and 3,000 copies for the childrens book club sold by the bookseller Foyles. The third impression printings were supplied to Foyles unbound. They were bound independently, without maps, in yellow, gilt-stamped cloth over boards. The dustjackets, as seen in the pictures, are black, orange and white, featuring a drawing of a dandified Hobbit. When Tolkien saw the dustjacket he commented "Surely the paper wasted on that hideous dust-cover could have been better used"....now its one of the most highly sought after copies around.

DESCRIPTION
Tolkien, John Ronald Reuel; The Hobbit; London: Foyles Book Club by arrangement with George Allen & Unwin Ltd., Museum Street; Copyright 1937, 310 pages, published in 1942.
The book is in VERY GOOD+ condition. Yellow boards and pages are clean and bright showing only light rubbing or wear, very slight spine slant. NO writing or inscriptions. A beautiful copy! ORIGINAL DUSTJACKET in VERY GOOD+ condition. Dj is NOT price-clipped, but shows signs of wear and chipping at folds. The book comes complete with an Archival-quality mylar dustjacket protector.

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Email Address : smaug@Hobbit.ca
URL: http://www.Hobbit.ca
Revised -- Dec. 18, 2023